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Demographic Factors and Second Language Learning: What Motivates Children to Learn Another Language in the South of the Sahara?
Get PDFResearch shows that attitude and motivation are the primary impetus towards second language (L2) learning. However, there are differences among learners regarding their attitude and motivation towards the target language as learners’ backgrounds are diverse. This article explains how demographic factors affect children’s attitudes and motivation towards English in the South of the Sahara, drawing from case study research conducted in Zanzibar-Tanzania. The Attitude-Motivation Battery tool by Gardner (2004) was used to generate data from 400 Grade Six pupils in Zanzibar. Data were analysed through SPSS, version 26, to develop correlations between variables; i.e., age, sex, parents’ support, area of residence and parents’ occupation. The study revealed that most pupils had an affirmative attitude towards English. There is a significant relationship between pupils’ attitudes and parents’ support (0.001), area of residence (0.001) and pupils’ attitudes. Also, there is a significant relationship between pupils’ motivation and area of residence (0.001) and parents’ support (0.001). Children’s motivation to learn English is more instrumentally triggered than intrinsic. Other factors like age and parents’ occupation did not affect pupil’s attitudes and motivation towards English. Therefore, language policies and the curriculum should be developed based on children’s aspirations. Also, L2 scaffolds should be designed based on learners’ diversities in resources and geographical backgrounds
Individual Investors’ Awareness and Participation in the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, Tanzania
Get PDFParticipation of individual investors in Dar es Salaam stock markets stands at 1%, which is very low compared to Kenya, which is currently at 4%. Thus, the study evaluated the level of awareness of individuals that explained their low participation in the Dar es Salaam stock exchange. Primary data were collected from 200 participants and 200 non-participants and analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Findings revealed that non-participant individuals had a low level of awareness regarding DSE and its activities compared to individual participants. Regarding voting and decision-making by shareholders, only 13% of participants were aware of this right. Financial awareness was also found out to be low among individuals. Binary logistic results indicated that awareness of DSE, awareness creation seminars, and access to media were likely to influence individuals' participation decisions. Thus, the study concluded that the level of awareness among individuals was deficient and affected their participation in the stock market. Therefore, the intensification of public awareness through seminars by DSE is essential. Also, DSE should increase the use of mobile trading platform and internet technologies to disseminate awareness information on investment opportunities for participation decision
Effects of Maintaining Social Distancing on Travel Intentions During Covid-19: Practical Implications to Tanzania's Tourism Sector
Get PDFAlthough social distancing rule seem to be the effective measure to reduce the spread of the virus pandemic related diseases, the effectiveness of this rule varied country wise. The main focus of the current study was to analyze studies that have been done addressing relationship between social distancing and visitor's travel intention during COVID-19 and to come up with a practical implication to Tanzania tourism sector. This was a desk review study and only full-length articles published in academic journals, mainly in tourism and hospitality were used. Data for this study was generated from three main tourism database search engines as EBSCOhost, science direct, and Google scholar using keywords such as “social distancing” “tourism” “COVID-19” “intention to travel” “hospitality”. The search retrieved a total of 7 articles. It was reported that perceptions of COVID-19 and the use of non-pharmaceutical intervention did not have an impact on behavioral intention. Individual desire was proved to have a positive effect on behavioral intention. Furthermore, the behavioral intention was negatively influenced by the affective risk and peoples’ emotions. During virus pandemic related diseases Tanzania need to emphasize on the use of technology and seat blocking strategy in transport sector to make sure that social distancing rule is fully maintained. 
Assessment of Factors Influencing Sexual Reproductive Health Communication between Parents and Adolescents in Tabora Region
Get PDFThe study assessed the factors influencing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) communication between adolescents and Parents in Tabora region. It adopted a mixed study design whereby both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used in the field. The general objective of the study is to provide an understanding on the factors influencing parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health behaviours in Tanzania. The specific objective of the study was to assess the factors influencing parent-adolescent communication on SRH in Nzega District. It also used in-depth interview, focused group discussion and observation to answer the research objective. The results indicated that, communication on SRH were gender sensitive with more communication between female adolescents and mothers leaving male adolescents with low levels of communication with both parents. This was the result of gender gap in children grooming which attach a big role to mothers than fathers. Apart from that religion was also found to be an important predictor of SRH communication between parents and adolescents. Moreover, parents’ attitude on the importance of SRH communication and their perceived ability to communicate SRH topics with adolescents also predicted the levels of communication concerning SRH because positive parents’ attitudes and perceptions were associated with high levels of SRH communication. The study recommends that SRH should be strengthened at community level to reduce early adolescent child birth and maternal mortality. Also, it concludes that SRH communication is essential for raising awareness on issues of reproductive health which govern future population growth. Therefore, it should be enhanced through promoting positive parents’ attitude and perception towards such communications
Determinants of Collaborative Negotiation Style on Agribusiness Performance of High Value Food Crop Products in Tanzania: Evidence from Middlemen in Arusha
Get PDFInvestigation on the effective substrate for high yields of Pleurotus ostreatus: A case study of Kinyerezi Tanzania
Get PDFInvestigation on what substrate combination is more effective in producing high yields of Pleurotus ostreatus in local greenhouses was conducted at Kinyerezi (6°50'27.2"S, 39°10'26.5"E) in Dar es Salaam in 2020 aiming to produce a substrate protocol which will maximize yielding of mushrooms in local greenhouses. Sugar, grain chaff, and lime were added in specified ratios to the compost of sliced banana leaves and sawdust and followed by sterilization for 4 hours and cooling for 24 hours before being packaged in 1 kg bags for fungal inoculation. 450 plastic bags of compost were inoculated with mushroom spores and left for 28 days for colonization. The compost was sparingly watered to maintain the optimal humidity, temperature, and pH for the germination of mushrooms. Mushroom germination in 100 bags with additional sugar,100 bags with additional grain chaff, and 100 bags with additional lime were monitored for four months where germination percentage and germination number were recorded monthly and used for statistical analysis. Bags with additional sugar indicated a significant difference in the monthly germination percentage (P=0.002248, df = 2). Additional sugar descriptively increased germination number from 30 to 173 than other substrates which increased from 0.5 to 16.5. However, the increase was statistically not significant P=0.25246, df = 2. Mushroom growers are advised to use the compost formula as indicated in this investigation as a new knowledge contributed by the research. The use of added sugar as a substrate in the compost is mandatory
An Assessment of Mentoring Programmes for Novice Secondary School Teachers’ Competencies in Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Get PDFMentoring programmes are cost- effective and interesting in helping one to grow in different teaching methodologies for practicing secondary school teachers and learning processes for novice teachers. When mentoring is carried out in one’s early career development, novice teachers become competent and execute their work with confidence. Yet, there are a few studies which have so far been conducted concerning the assessment of mentoring programmes for novice secondary school teachers’ competencies. Specifically, the study examined the forms of mentoring offered to novice teachers in secondary schools in Mbeya region; and established stakeholders’ perceptions on mentoring programmes in developing novice teachers’ teaching competencies in secondary schools in Mbeya region. A descriptive survey research design utilizing quantitative and qualitative approaches was used to a sample size of 110 respondents. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively while qualitative data being analysed through content analysis. The findings revealed that different forms of mentoring were practiced in Mbeya region. These included formal and informal mentoring, instance and group mentoring, situational and supervisory mentoring where each form of mentoring benefited novice teachers towards teaching and learning. Also, the study revealed positive perception of mentoring programs towards developing novice teachers’ competence in secondary schools from stakeholders. Further, novice teachers viewed their mentors as models to help understanding of their own strengths and weakness, as well as acquiring problem solving skills, thereby filling the gap created by limited practices and experiences not covered during teacher training. It was recommended that there is a need to strengthen programmes in secondary schools in order to support novice teachers’ progress in the beginning of their teaching career
A CBT-Based Intervention Model for Computer Anxiety Management among first-year students at the National Open University of Nigeria in South-West Nigeria
Get PDFThe study investigated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in treating computer phobia among distance learning first-year students in south-western Nigeria. The moderating effects of age and gender were examined. Technology Acceptance Model was taken as the framework for the study, with the pre-test-post-test control group quasi-experimental design, where 55 computer anxious students first-year students who met the screening criteria were randomly allocated into the CBT and the Control groups. For screening, the Computer Anxiety Scale Revised (=0.89) with a norm of 60.0 was used, while Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (=0.86) was utilised to measure the criterion variable. Treatment lasted eight weeks using the CBT training guides. Data analysis was conducted using covariance and post-hoc multiple classification analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Participants mean age was =32.70, with 65.5% females. It was found that the treatment group was significantly affected by the management of computer anxiety among NOUN freshmen (F(1,46) = 42.492, p0.05, =0.480). Participants in the CBT had the least adjusted mean (=27.260), and the control group had a higher adjusted mean score (= 39.733). Participants in the treatment groups and the control group are significantly affected by age when it comes to computer anxiety (F(2,123)=4.548, p0.05, 0.090). There is a significant effect of age in the management of computer anxiety among the participants; gender did not significantly impact computer anxiety. It is recommended that educational and counselling psychologists should employ this therapy to reduce computer anxiety. Service providers should consider age in computer appreciation training for distance learners
Parents-Teachers’ Collaborative Strategies and Challenges in Managing Truancy in Public Primary Schools in Tabora, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study examined the collaborative strategies used by parents and teachers in managing pupils' truancy in government primary schools in Tanzania and the challenges they faced. The study was conducted in six primary schools in Kaliua district, Tabora region. A mixed-methods research approach with the convergent parallel design was employed. One hundred seventy-four (174) participants were involved, including the District Primary Educational Officer, Ward Educational Officer, parents, and teachers. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, and documentary reviews. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, whereas the quantitative data were evaluated descriptively using SPSS version 26 to compute the frequency, mean, and percentages. The findings revealed that communication between parents and teachers, parents and teachers' meetings, classroom attendance, and local government involvement were being used in managing truancy. Besides, it was noted that challenges emerged when using the mentioned strategies. These challenges were mainly on the parents' side. Such challenges including parents' phone numbers being unavailable, parents’ nonattendance to school meetings, and unchecked classroom attendance. This study concludes that collaboration between parents and teachers allows them to nurture pupils while they are at home and at school. The study recommends that the government needs to educate parents to ensure effective collaboration with teachers to reduce or eliminate truancy among pupils
Firm-Specific Determinants of Profitability of Listed Commercial Services Companies in Kenya and Tanzania
Get PDFThe issue on whether firm-specific determinants such as capital adequacy, financial leverage, company liquidity and firm size influence the profitability of listed commercial services companies is still debatable to date. Therefore, this study examines the firm-specific determinants of profitability of listed commercial services companies at Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) and Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) in Tanzania and Kenya respectively. The study used data extracted from annual reports of eleven commercial services companies from 2015 to 2020 yielding 66 firm-year observations. Moreover, panel data regression analysis specifically a random effect estimator was employed to estimate firm-specific determinants of profitability of commercial services companies listed in Tanzania and Kenya. The study found out that capital adequacy was significantly positively linked to the profitability of listed commercial services companies at DSE and NSE. Likewise, the study revealed that firm size was significantly positively associated with the profitability of commercial services listed at DSE and NSE. Moreover, the study uncovered an insignificant positive association between profitability and both financial leverage and liquidity of commercial services companies listed at DSE and NSE. The results suggested that corporate managers are advised to increase investment in equity through selling equities to the general public and private shareholders so as to increase profitability. Furthermore, corporate managers are advised to increase firm size to enhance profitability